A
LASKA
H
EATING
O
IL
T
ANKS
State of Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation
January 2003
A
C
OMPLETE
G
UIDE
FOR
his guide is provided to help you have a safe heating oil system and to
prevent spills of heating oil into the environment. The importance of
properly installing, maintaining or removing your heating oil storage
tanks is to ensure your safety, the value of your property and the health of the
environment.
tank used for the sole purpose to store heating oil consumed on
premises is not regulated by the Alaska Department of Environmental
Conservation (ADEC). However, any release of heating oil to the
environment is required to be cleaned up. This guide was created in
response to the large number of heating oil tank spills and overfills that have
occurred in Alaska over the years.
ote that some information found in this guide is not required by law but
is provided as a recommendation. Local fire and building code officials
have permit requirements that must be followed.
now your responsibilities as a tank owner. There are certain things you
can do to avoid the worst case scenario of a leaking tank. This guide
will give you some good ideas on taking charge of your tank system.
Division of Spill Prevention and Response Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
T
A
N
K
Look for these symbols throughout the guide:
Check It
Out!
Good
Idea!
FYI
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 4
DEFINITIONS 5
RESPONSIBLE TANK MANAGEMENT 6
BUYING OR SELLING PROPERTY WITH AN UNDERGROUND TANK 9
FIRE AND BUILDING CODES 10
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 10 INSTALLATION OF YOUR HEATING OIL TANK 11 INSPECTING YOUR HEATING OIL TANK 19 CHECKLIST FOR ASSESSING YOUR TANK SYSTEM 21 ADDITIONAL CONCERNS FOR INDOOR TANKS 22 OTHER PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN TAKE 23 CLOSURE OF YOUR HEATING OIL TANK 25 ADDITIONAL STEPS FOR UNDERGROUND TANKS 26 CLEANUP OF A CONTAMINATED AREA 27
Diesel oil is a toxic and hazardous substance that requires care in handling and usage.
As an owner of a heating oil supply tank, you are responsible for its safe operation.
The average cost to cleanup a residential oil release is $15,000; the cost can be much greater if groundwater is polluted.
I
NTRODUCTION
il heating systems are a safe, efficient and effective way to heat small and medium
sized buildings if used properly. They are primarily composed of a fuel tank, an oil burner and the piping which supply fuel to the burner. The majority of heating oil tanks in Alaska are the familiar 275-gallon tanks that often serve residential heating needs but may be larger or smaller, depending on your heating system. Proper care and
maintenance of your heating fuel oil tank, lines and furnace is common sense and can reduce your chance of being faced with costly environmental problems.
iability for contamination resulting from a heating oil tank spill or leak can impose a
serious financial hardship for homeowners, small businesses, churches, schools and other heating oil users. In addition to being held financially responsible for cleaning up petroleum-contaminated soils and groundwater, tank owners can also be held liable for third-party bodily injury and property damages. Litigation is very possible if the oil
contaminates a neighbor’s well or the vapors invade their basements, crawl spaces, sewers, sumps, utility trenches or other underground areas.
Heating oil can:
• contaminate drinking water wells; • contaminate groundwater;
• contaminate soil;
• foul septic systems, requiring replacement; • cause odor and vapor problems in the home; and
• enter sumps that can contaminate storm/sanitary sewers, surface water, and drainage ditches.
These problems can cost homeowners thousands of dollars to correct. This guide can help property owners avoid costly problems associated with leaks and spills from home heating oil systems.
O
D
EFINITIONS
• A heating oil tank stores oil for on-site
consumption. It is used solely for heating the
building on the property where the tank is located. It can be aboveground, underground or inside a building. This type of tank is not regulated by State or Federal law and therefore is not subject to
requirements such as registration, leak detection, pollution insurance or removal.
• An underground storage tank subject to State and Federal UST laws. A regulated UST is 10% or more underground, 110 gallons or greater in capacity, contains petroleum and is not a heating oil tank where the fuel is consumed on-site.
• A “release” means any spill, leak, discharge, leach or disposal of petroleum into surface or subsurface soils, surface water, or groundwater.
• A vent pipe is required by building and fire code officials to be on a tank to prevent pressure build-up in the system. The top of a vent pipe must always be higher than the fill pipe in case the tank is overfilled during delivery
H
EATINGO
ILT
ANKR
EGULATEDUST
R
ELEASER
ESPONSIBLE
T
ANK
M
ANAGEMENT
O ensure that your heating oil tank and fuel lines have a long and trouble-free life,
there are some easy steps you can follow. These practices will protect the investment of your home and will help prevent costly spills and cleanups. This section provides general guidelines depending on the type of tank and piping system you have on your property.
T
What are my responsibilities as a tank owner?
Know the condition of your tank. A monthly check is
recommended as a preventive maintenance tool. Report any
sudden change in product level or any noticeable problems to a
heating repair professional or your oil supplier. For a checklist of
potential problems, see Page 19.
Understand your tank system and how it works. You should
know the tank size, age, construction material (tank and piping)
and who to call if a repair is needed. Keep track of all deliveries
and how much fuel you use.
Respond to cleaning up a spill. If obvious signs of a leak are
found (such as petroleum vapors, oil on property, etc.),
immediately report the leak to the Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation. The sooner you cleanup a spill, the
cheaper your expenses.
A
BOVEGROUNDT
ANKSYour tank should be:
U
NDERGROUNDT
ANKS
YSTEMSAsk your delivery person to:
OUT OF SIGHT IS NOT OUT OF MIND At least six inches above the ground and supported by solidly attached legs or saddle-braces that are resting upon a well-drained, solid masonry footing, such as a concrete pad or pier blocks set on a gravel pad.
Equipped with a fuel-level gauge that is functioning properly.
Located where snow or ice sliding off the roof will not damage or tip the tank over, or damages the fuel lines.
Checked regularly for signs of rust, wet spots, or excessive dents on the tank’s surface.
Checked regularly for signs of drips or leakage around the fuel lines, filters, drain plugs and valves.
Checked regularly for signs of spills around the vent pipe and the tank fill area.
Make sure that there is sufficient room in the tank for the amount of product that was ordered.
Inspect the fill cap and fill cap gasket to ensure they are in good condition. Make sure that the vent is clear of obstructions and the vent cap is in place. Check your overfill whistle to ensure it is functioning properly.
Check your tank for the presence of water using a wooden stick and water indicator paste available from your fuel distributor.
Do it!
Keep all pipe connections clean and tight.
Measure and monitor fuel usage and compare it
to past seasons.
Discuss your fuel needs, delivery procedures,
and spill procedures with your fuel delivery
company.
Know how to properly measure the fuel level in
your tank and calculate the volume in the tank.
Know when and how much to order from your
fuel oil delivery company.
Keep the fill pipe accessible and visible for the
delivery company.
Keep the vent line clear of snow, ice, or insect
nests to prevent over-pressurizing the tank.
B
UYING OR
S
ELLING
P
ROPERTY WITH AN
U
NDERGROUND
T
ANK
O avoid the liability of a leaking tank, underground heating oil tank systems should
be closely examined during the sale of property by the seller, buyer or lending institution. While there are no required standards for assessing the integrity of a heating oil tank system, the following things are sometimes done to address concerns about the tank systems. These options go from least expensive and least precise to most expensive and most precise. Here are several ways to determine if your fuel system is working properly.
Five Ways to Assess Your Heating Oil Tank System
1) Fuel receipts. The easiest way to monitor for a possible release is to examine your fuel receipts and your fuel usage patterns over time. Excessive consumption of heating oil could be due to a leak in the system.
2) Contact fuel delivery company. Another simple way to check your fuel usage is to contact the company who deliveries the fuel, ask them for your history of fuel receipts, and ask them if your usage is customary, based on your tank size, furnace type and size of structure you are heating.
3) Do-it-yourself leak test. If you can afford to not use your furnace for a few days, another method, called Manual Tank Gauging, can be used to test your tank if it is losing fuel. Use a large wooden stick to measure the product level in your tank, wait 48 hours, and measure the product level again. If the levels are different, you may have a problem.
4) Professional Tightness Test. The State of Alaska licenses tank tightness testers to check for leaks at regulated UST systems. If you need conclusive evidence that your tank is not leaking, this method can be beneficial. Call 1-800-478-4974 for a list of tightness testers or go to http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/ipp/ust/ust_workers.asp on the internet.
5) Site Assessment. It is common in commercial property purchases for the buyer or seller to hire an environmental consulting firm to perform a site assessment. The assessment can include a record search, as well as soil and possible groundwater samples to verify the presence or absence of petroleum contamination.
F
IRE AND
B
UILDING
C
ODES
he State Fire Marshall requires plan approval for certain heating oil tank systems.
Residential housing that is a three-plex or smaller, is exempt from such approval. The installation or replacement of fuel tanks must be approved by the State Fire Marshal's Office before ANY work is started for residential housing greater than a three-plex. Please note the following Alaska cities have jurisdiction over heating oil tanks and may have more strict requirements:
♦ Anchorage ♦ Juneau ♦ Fairbanks ♦ Kenai ♦ Seward ♦ Kodiak ♦ Sitka ♦ Soldotna
Check with your local fire or building official before proceeding with your tank installation or removal.
State Fire Marshall Phone Numbers can be found on
Page 23.
S
TATEF
IREM
ARSHAL WEBPAGE:
HTTP://
WWW.
DPS.
STATE.
AK.
US/
FIREF
EDERAL
R
EQUIREMENTS
E
NVIRONMENTAL
P
ROTECTION
A
GENCY
SPILL PREVENTION CONTROL AND COUNTERMEASURES PLANS (SPCC!)
The Environmental Protection Agency requires users of oil products, including home heating oil, to have a SPCC plan if there is 1320 gallons of one or more oils stored on the property and a spill from the tank or tanks could enter a navigable waterway. The oil or oils can be in one tank or multiple tanks of 55 gallons or greater capacity includingmachinery fuel tanks. If all tanks total less than 1320 gallons a SPCC plan is not required. For further information please call the Environmental Protection Agency at 1-800-424-4EPA in Seattle, Washington or one of the Alaska Operations offices. They are located in
Anchorage (1-907-271-5083), Juneau (1-907-586-7658) or Kenai (1-907-283-6608).
I
NSTALLATION OF
Y
OUR
H
EATING
O
IL
T
ANK
here are several types of oil tanks available for residential and commercial use.
Most common tanks for home use are less than 600 gallons and can be installed in different ways. In this section we offer installation guidelines for the following:
• A
BOVEGROUNDT
ANKS• U
NDERGROUNDT
ANKS• I
NSIDET
ANKS• P
IPES ANDP
IPING• V
ENTL
INES ANDA
LARMSSome restrictions or limitations include:
• Separation distance between an aboveground tank and a property line. • The distance between a tank vent and door or opening window.
• Size restriction depending on the size or shape of the aboveground tank.
T
Before you begin installing your new heating oil tank system, check
with your local fire or building official to see what types of codes
are required in your area. Most officials use the Uniform Fire
Code to outline code requirements to install heating oil tanks.
Hire a Professional who knows about
A
BOVEGROUNDT
ANKSmaller heating oil tanks are often installed aboveground next to the building that
it serves. Because of constant exposure to weather and the elements, special considerations are required to prevent system failure and subsequent releases. Because of the annual freezing and thawing of the soil in Alaska, an adequate foundation and support system is critical.
L
EGS ANDF
OUNDATIONS:
anks of either vertical or horizontal configuration should be mounted on steel
pipe legs not to exceed 12 inches in height and fitted with threaded floor flanges at the base of each leg. The legs should rest on a solid foundation such as cement pilings or a 3-inch thick reinforced concrete pad. The length and width of the pad should be equal to or larger than the dimensions of the tank. The pad should rest on a bed (6" minimum) of compacted well-drained gravel, crushed stone, coarse sand or other acceptable subgrade. See Figure A below.
With vertical or horizontal tanks, the leg brackets that are welded to the bottom of a tank should not be used as a leg and should not rest directly on the concrete pad. Some tanks are designed and manufactured to be supported by cradles, saddles or other similar supports. These supports should be placed on a concrete pad as described above. In all cases, there must be a minimum of 6 inches of clearance from the bottom of the tank to another surface.
S
T
6" deep, min., compacted well-drained subgrade. Steel pipe legs,
12" maximum, with threaded floor flanges.
One-piece reinforced concrete pad, 3" minimum thickness, or adequate cement pilings.
O
UTDOORT
ANKL
OCATION:
hysical damage to tanks from snow or ice falling from overhead roofs can result in
damage to your tank. Outside tanks and piping should be located such that their exposure to damage is minimized. Think about where your tank should be placed for protection and safe filling access.
• Located at the gable end of a building, or fully covered by a sturdy, well-constructed roof.
• Located so the tank and unsupported piping is not located within 18 inches of the drip line of the eaves.
Avoid locating the tank and piping in areas with overhanging tree limbs, high foot traffic areas, and snow storage areas from plowing. See Figure B and C on Page 14.
T
ABLE1
A
BOVEGROUNDO
ILT
ANKS
EPARATIONR
EQUIREMENTS(See Figure D, Page 15)
Capacity of Tank
in Gallons
Minimum Distance in
FEET
From Property Lineor Opposite Side of Public Way
Minimum Distance in
FEET
From Nearest Side of Public Way or Building
275 or less
276 to 750
751 to 12,000
12,001 to 30,000
5
10
15
20
5*
5*
5
5
* Up to 660 gallons may be adjacent to building – NFPA 31 2-5.2 Uniform Fire Code (From NFPA 31, Table 2-4)
Figure B
Locating your tank
Figure C
5’ Minimum distance from tank to
property line.
Up to 660 gallon tanks may be
adjacent to building.
See Table 1 on Page 13.
Located at the gableend of the building or 18” from drip line of the eaves
• ADEC does not regulate the installation of home heating oil tanks. Nor does ADEC require removal of unused heating oil tanks. However, any spill to the environment must be cleaned up. • Do not let a small problem turn into a big one. As a property owner you may be liable for any third-party damages due to contamination of the
Underground Tanks
nderground tanks are allowed in most parts of the State where permafrost is not a
problem. A well-designed and properly installed underground tank can have a life expectancy equal to an aboveground tank. The following list can help ensure that installing an underground tank is done properly.
A
LASKAL
AWU
Hire a professional contractor or plumber who has experience
installing underground tanks. You may even want to hire an
underground tank worker licensed by the State of Alaska.
Observe the installation and photograph or videotape the
installation. Save all equipment and work receipts and
warrantees.
Make sure that the underground tank is coated with an
exterior coating to prevent or reduce the chance of tank
failure due to corrosion.
I
NSIDET
ANKSlthough tanks and piping located within a building are not subject to the exposure
that outdoor tanks are, provisions must be made to minimize the risk of an oil release.
L
EGS ANDF
OUNDATIONS:
henever possible, a tank (vertical or horizontal) should be located on a concrete
floor. Tank legs should not exceed 12 inches in height and should be equipped with threaded floor flanges. Saddles, cradles or other supports designed
specifically for a tank should be used. Tanks located inside a building without a finished concrete floor should be supported on legs not to exceed 12 inches and fitted with
threaded floor flanges. The legs should rest on a minimum 3-inch thick reinforced concrete pad. The length and width of the pad should be equal to or larger than the dimensions of the tank. The pad should rest on a bed (6" minimum) of compacted well-drained gravel, crushed stone, coarse sand or other acceptable subgrade. See Figure A - Page 12.
P
IPES ANDP
IPING
any oil releases originate from supply and/or return lines. This is especially true
for unprotected lines. Lines that are subject to traffic or falling snow could be at risk. Also lines that are located within or under a concrete floor, buried
underground or otherwise located in a corrosive environment are likely to cause
problems. Whenever an oil supply or return line is installed under concrete, sub-floors, or earth surfaces, the line should be continuous from the burner to the tank and not contain any splices. Additionally, all buried piping should be protected against corrosion.
All oil supply and return lines installed under or within concrete floors, under sub-flooring or buried by any description of soil should be fully encased in a non-metallic, liquid tight conduit such as PVC, ABS or other similar material. Supply and return lines which are above grade but which are covered with mortar shall be considered buried and should be encased in a sleeve or conduit. See Figure C – Page 14)
Lines that penetrate a foundation wall should be encased in a non-metallic, liquid-tight conduit such as PVC, ABS or other acceptable material. The opening of the conduit should be sealed at the wall to prevent the entry of water, insects, rodents, etc.
A
W
M
Vent Piping
Vent pipes shall terminate outside of buildings at a point not less than 2 feet (0.6m) measured vertically or horizontally from any building
opening. Outer ends of vent pipes shall terminate in a weatherproof vent cap or fitting provided with a weatherproof hood. All vent caps shall have a minimum free open area equal to the cross-sectional area of the vent pipe and shall not employ screens finer than Number 4 mesh. Vent pipes shall terminate sufficiently above the ground to avoid being obstructed with snow and ice.
ALL-WEATHER WOOD AND COPPER PIPING DO NOT MIX.
V
ENTL
INES ANDA
LARMSll tanks must be equipped with proper atmospheric venting. Indoor tanks should be
equipped with vent pipes that terminate outside the building. Inside and outside tanks with a capacity of 660-gallons or less should have a vent with a minimum inside diameter of 2 inches.
Uniform Fire Code (From NFPA 31, 3-4.2)
V
ENTA
LARMS ANDG
AUGES:
ll tanks should be equipped with a method of determining the oil level in the tank.
As a minimum, an audible vent whistle alarm shall be present on all tanks (above-ground and under(above-ground). Such a device is used to signify that the predetermined safe fill volume of a tank has been reached during a delivery. Aboveground tanks should also be equipped with a sight gauge to indicate the liquid level in the tank at any given time. Underground tanks should be accessible such that a gauge stick can be used to determine the liquid level. Electronic liquid level gauges and overfill prevention alarms can prevent costly overfills and cleanups
A
I
NSPECTING
Y
OUR
H
EATING
O
IL
T
ANK
reventing tank spills and leaks is the best policy to avoid costly cleanup expenses.
A simple monthly inspection can go a long way to prevent costly spills and leaks. Professional trade journals recommend that tank owners conduct periodic
maintenance inspections of their heating oil systems to look for signs of:
Spills or overfills around the fill pipe, vent line or tank.
Leaks from fittings, valves, filters, tank gauges and pipes.
A fuel release including the smell of oil in your home or around the
tank area.
Dead vegetation in the area of the tank and fill spout.
Rust, wet spots or excessive dents on the tank’s surface.
Obstructions (insect nests, ice or snow) in the vent pipe.
Tank instability. Legs for aboveground tanks should be stable and
resting upon a sturdy masonry footing. The bottom of the tank
should be off the ground and clear of debris, leaves and snow, etc.
See Checklist for Assessing Your Tank System
on Page 20.
Have professional oil heat repairman check your tank
system if your fuel consumption increases sharply or if
your furnace is not operating properly.
To ensure that an underground tank is not leaking, it is a
good practice to carefully measure and record the
product levels during the summer months.
Painting your above ground tank a light color will help
reduce condensation and bottom corrosion.
Keeping your tank filled during the off season months will
reduce condensation and corrosion.
Your oil dealer can add a fuel additive to your tank to
prevent sludge buildup and remove any water.
C
HECKLIST FOR
A
SSESSING
Y
OUR
T
ANK
S
YSTEM
Take a good look at your tank and answer the following:
___ Check area around tank for spills. Are there signs of oil (odors, sheens
on water surfaces, visible puddles of oil, etc.) on your property? If a
spill has occurred, take steps to stop the leak and contact a specialist to
have the area cleaned up.
___ Signs of spills or overfills around the fill pipe or vent line?
___ If tank is aboveground, check the entire tank for surface damage (rust,
dents, wet spots, etc.)
___ Check the tank support system. Is it sturdy, solid and secure?
___ Check all pipeline connections. Are there signs of leakage around the oil
filter or valves? Signs of drips around line connections or in the supply
lines?
___ Check the fill cap. If damaged or missing, replace immediately. Oil and
water do not mix!
___ Is the vent line clear of obstructions?
___ Are all unused tank openings properly capped?
___ Does the tank have an operable shut off valve?
___ Is the fill gauge (if one is installed) functioning?
___ Is the overfill whistle (if one is installed) functioning? Does it whistle
during fuel delivery?
A
DDITIONAL
C
ONCERNS FOR
I
NDOOR
T
ANKS
___
Check for evidence of stains, corrosion or damage where the product
supply line enters the basement or penetrates a concrete floor or wall.
___ Is there any danger of foot traffic, etc., damaging the fuel supply line?
___ Are there any signs of leakage where the supply line is connected to the
furnace?
___ Does any portion of the copper fuel supply line between the tank and the
furnace run beneath a building, flooring or other
structures?
If yes:
• Is the line encased in protective tubing, i.e.
conduit, PVC, etc?
• Any visible sign of corrosion where the line emerges from the
concrete?
___ Check for a floor drain. Where does it go? Is residence connected to city
water and sewer system or a private septic system?
___ Are there any petroleum vapors in basement/crawlspace? (If vapors are
present call your furnace repair company.)
___ Check sump pump or floor drain (if present). Any petroleum odors or
signs of petroleum?
O
THER PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
___ Watch deliveries to prevent spills and overfills.
___ Check for water in the tank (record measurement, if taken).
___ Is there an oil filter attached? Does it need replacing? (Ask your furnace
repair company if unsure.)
___ Is there an oil/water separator? Newer models are metal, older are glass
(which can shatter during freezing temperatures). Drain water if
needed.
___ Check your fuel use. Keep track of your oil consumption. A dramatic
increase in fuel consumption may indicate a tank or line leak.
___ Have you had problems with the operation of the furnace? If you are unsure
A “release” means any spill, leak, discharge, leach or disposal from a heating oil tank into surface or subsurface soils, surface water, or groundwater. If this
happens, you should:
Identify the source of the release. If you can not find the source, you may need to contact a professional.
Stop or contain the release. Cat litter can help stop a small leak from spreading. You can purchase sorbent pads that soak up oil from your heating oil distributor or from a bulk oil plant. Call a professional, such as your heating oil distributor, to remove product from the tank to prevent further release.
Report the release to your local ADEC office. (see page 30)
Begin cleanup. Contact professionals to help determine the extent of contamination, prepare a cleanup plan and cleanup the site
Keep detailed and accurate records.
R
EMOVING
Y
OUR
H
EATING
O
IL
T
ANK
ertain precautions must be taken to prevent pollution and hazardous situations
when a tank is no longer in use or functioning. Tanks that are not in use usually contain some fuel that can leak out of a corroding tank over time. Heating oil tanks that are out of service or abandoned should be properly closed. Proper closure involves removing the tank from the ground or properly closing it in-place.
Questions? Contact the Storage Tank Program of ADEC to
obtain the requirements and available options for the proper disposal of tanks and associated piping.
S
TEPS TOC
LOSE AH
EATINGO
ILT
ANKIf you are converting to gas or electric heat or if you are replacing the tank, call your oil distributor and ask them to discontinue the oil service to your tank.
All petroleum product must be removed from the tank and line before pulling the tank. Your oil supplier may pump out the reusable oil and credit your account. The fuel supplier should have an explosion-proof or air-driven pump or a vacuum truck to remove the liquid in the tank.
All piping should be disconnected, drained, and capped (if it cannot be removed). This includes the tank fill line.
Oil sludge or residue should be removed and disposed properly.
Once the tank is cleaned, it may be removed from the property
C
1. Notify the Oil Supplier
2. Remove Product
3. Disconnect all Piping and Drain
4. Tank Cleaning
A
DDITIONAL
S
TEPS
F
OR
U
NDERGROUND
T
ANKS
Before excavation work can be started, a permit to abandon the underground tank may be required from your local fire
department, or other borough or city agency.
Find a professional contractor to do the job for you. Your oil supplier or ADEC can provide a list of contractors to perform the job.
Excavate to the top of the tank and expose the piping.
Once the tank is cleaned, it may be removed from the ground and disposed properly.
There are a number of locations, such as dismantling yards, landfills, and local scrap yards. Your contractor or ADEC can assist with the disposal.
You should report any contamination of soil or groundwater found during tank removal to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation immediately upon discovery.
T
ANKC
LOSUREI
N-P
LACEThe only underground storage tanks that are recommended for abandonment in-place are tanks that are under a building or would endanger a building structure if removed. If abandonment in-place is the only option, the tank should be properly cleaned out and filled with sand or a cement slurry mix.
6. Local Permit 7. Obtain a Contractor 8. Excavation 9. Tank Removal 10. Tank Disposal Locations 11. Report Releases and Cleanup
The State of Alaska does not have funding available
for tank owners or operators to pay for clean up.
C
LEANUP OF A
C
ONTAMINATED
A
REA
n the event that petroleum contamination is discovered during your investigation, you must use the following procedures to ensure the site is promptly and properly cleaned up.
I
1. Notification: Contact your local ADEC office and report the release. (See page 30)
2. Cleanup Consultant or Contractor: Hire an environmental consultant or contractor to oversee cleanup work.
3. Work with the ADEC: Keep your local ADEC staff updated on the progress of the cleanup.
4. Treatment and Disposal: Any petroleum contaminated soil or water must be properly handled, treated and disposed. Your contractor should know the proper procedures.
5. No Further Action: Once cleanup is completed, contact the ADEC to review the site.
Common places where leaks or spills may occur:
(Illustration of an underground storage tank.)
D
URINGF
ILLING:
Spills can happen during fuel deliveries either by overfilling the
tank or spilling when the delivery hose is disconnected.
O
LDT
ANKS:
Steel tanks can rust and in time holes can develop where fuel
can seep through.
P
IPEC
ONNECTIONS:
Metal corrosion, fatigue, fitting failure and physical damage can
create a fuel leak.
R
ESOURCES FOR
I
NFORMATION
INTERNET♦ Heating Oil Tank Information
http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/perp/hho.htm
♦ Spill Notification Requirements
http://www.dec.state.ak.us/spar/spillreport.htm
♦ List of Licensed UST Workers for Installation and Closure
http://www.dec/state.ak.us/spar/ipp/ust/ust_workers.asp
♦ State of Alaska Fire Marshall Fuel Tank Plan Review Process http://www.dps.state.ak.us/fire/PRB.htm
AGENCIES
♦ Storage Tank Program (Statewide)
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation 410 Willoughby Ave., Suite 303, Juneau, 99801 (907) 465-5200
♦ State Fire Marshall Anchorage Office
5700 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage 99507 (907) 269-5604
Juneau Office
P.O. Box 111200, Juneau 99811 (907) 465-4331
Fairbanks Office
1979 Peger Road, Fairbanks 99709 (907) 451-5200
T
O
R
EPORT A
R
ELEASE OF
P
ETROLEUM
P
RODUCT
State law requires all oil and hazardous substance releases to be
reported to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
During normal business hours:
call the nearest ADEC Area Response Team Office:
Outside normal business hours call: 1-800-478-9300.
Northern Alaska Response Team
(Fairbanks) 451-2121 (phone) or 451-2362 (fax)
Central Alaska Response Team
(Anchorage) 269-3063 (phone) or
269-7648 (fax)
Southeast Alaska Response Team
Fill this information and save it for easy
reference:
Size of Tank: _______________________________________________
Type of Fuel: _______________________________________________
My Oil Distributor (Name & Number):
________________________________________________
Heating Repair Professional (Name & Number): _____________
_______________________________________________
Do not attempt to repair a tank system yourself.
Report petroleum odors, petroleum sheens on water surfaces, or suspected problems to ADEC.